Cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength of deaf futsal players

Sports-Related Injuries in Deaf Competitive Squad Athletes-Results of a Retrospective Self-Assessment

BACKGROUND

Deaf squad athletes regularly participate in national/international competitions and most prepare for competitions in clubs with hearing athletes. Hearing loss is associated with difficulties in balance control which may impair functionality. The aim of this study is to provide epidemiological data on sports injuries in deaf squad athletes.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, data on main sport, training and competitions, injury rates, and downtimes were collected. Questionnaires from n = 65 athletes (n = 15 females, n = 50 males; age 28.00 ± 0.40 years) were finally analyzed. All injuries during the athlete's career within nine body regions were recorded. The influence of contact sports, supervision by Olympic Training Center (OSP), and hearing aids on injury rates and downtimes were analyzed.

RESULTS

An amount of 89.20% were additionally registered in a regular sports club. A total of 1430 injuries were recorded during 465,400 training hours (3.07 injuries/1000 training hours). The highest prevalences were found for hand/fingers (43.00%) and ankle/foot (14.00%). Contact sport athletes had higher injury rates and longer downtimes (5.66 versus 1.28 injuries/1000; p < 0.001; 2.45 versus 1.11 weeks/1000; p = 0.011). OSP athletes showed lower injury rates (0.92 versus 4.38 injuries/1000, p = 0.004). Longer downtimes were recorded for athletes without hearing aids during training (2.29 weeks/1000 versus 0.96 weeks/1000; p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

Deaf athletes are exposed to additional training and competition in hearing sports. The negative impact of contact sports may be attributed to hearing loss. Hearing aids in training seem to be protective. Athletes should consider supervision by OSP. The results of this study may help to improve treatment and integration of deaf athletes into hearing sports.

The Effects of Core Stabilization Exercises on Respiratory Muscle Strength, Respiratory Functions, and Postural Control in Children With Hearing Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of core stabilization training on respiratory muscle strength, respiratory functions, and postural control in children with hearing loss.

DESIGN

We conducted a randomized controlled trial at Bezmialem Vakif University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Thirty children with hearing loss who were diagnosed with prelingual sensorineural hearing loss were randomly allocated to the study (n = 15, 12.20 ± 1.69 years) and control (n = 15, 11.87 ± 2.20 years) groups. Core stabilization training protocol was performed by the study group for 8 weeks, 5 days/week, whereas the control group received no training. The primary outcome measure was respiratory muscle strength. The secondary outcome measures were: spirometry, postural control tests on Biodex Balance System, and Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Exercise adherence was recorded via a diary for home sessions. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and the end of the 8 weeks.

RESULTS

In the study group, a significant improvement was observed in force vital capacity, peak expiratory flow of the spirometry test, maximum inspiratory pressure/expiratory pressure (MEP) of the respiratory muscle strength test; postural stability test except "anterior/posterior stability index", limits of stability test except "backward" and "forward/right", all parameters of the Modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction and Balance (mCTSIB) test except "eyes closed firm surface" of the Biodex Balance System, and total score of BESS. Group × time interaction was found in MEP, "overall" stability index in postural stability test, "overall," "left," and "backward left" of limits of stability test, all parameters of the mCTSIB, and BESS total.

CONCLUSIONS

Core stabilization exercises were effective in improving respiratory muscle strength, spirometry, and postural control in children with hearing loss.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Diet Quality Profile of the Lithuanian Team of Deaf Women's Basketball Players

There are about 466 million people with hearing impairments in the world. The scientific literature does not provide sufficient data on the actual nutrition and other variables of professional deaf athletes. The objectives of this study were to investigate and evaluate the body composition, the physical working capacity, the nutrition intake, and the blood parameters of iron and vitamin D in the Lithuanian high-performance deaf women's basketball team players. The female athletes (n = 14) of the Lithuanian deaf basketball team aged 26.4 ± 4.5 years were recruited for an observational cross-sectional study. A 7-day food recall survey method was used to investigate their actual diet. The measurements of the body composition were performed using the BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) tetra-polar electrodes. In order to assess the cardiorespiratory and aerobic fitness levels of athletes, ergo-spirometry (on a cycle ergometer) was used to measure the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and the physical working capacity at a heart rate of 170 beats per minute (PWC170). The athletes' blood tests were taken to investigate the red blood cells, hemoglobin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, transferrin, iron concentrations, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). The consideration of the VO2peak (55.9 ± 6.1 mL/min/kg of body weight, 95% CI: 51.8, 58.9) and the low VO2peak (56-60 mL/min/kg of body weight) (p = 0.966) in the deaf women's basketball team players revealed no differences. For the deaf female athletes, the PWC170 was equal to 20.3 ± 2.0 kgm/min/kg of body weight and represented only the average aerobic fitness level. The carbohydrate and protein intakes (5.0 ± 1.3 and 1.3 ± 0.3 g/kg of body weight, respectively) met only the minimum levels recommended for athletes. The fat content of the diet (38.1 ± 4.1% of energy intake) exceeded the maximum recommended content (35% of energy intake) (p = 0.012). The mean blood serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and ferritin (24.1 ± 6.6 nmol/L and 11.0 ± 4.1 µg/L, respectively) predicted vitamin D and iron deficits in athletes. Female athletes had an increased risk of vitamin D and iron deficiencies. Regardless of iron deficiency in the body, the better cardiorespiratory fitness of the deaf female athletes was essentially correlated with the higher skeletal muscle mass (in terms of size) (r = 0.61, p = 0.023), the lower percentage of body fat mass (r = -0.53, p = 0.049), and the reduced intake of fat (r = -0.57, p = 0.040).